Evaluation of platelet number and function and fibrinogen level in patients bitten by snakes of the Bothrops genus

ABSTRACT

Platelet function and plasma fibrinogen levels were evaluated in 14 patients,1O males and 4 females, aged 13-59 years bitten by Bothrops genus snakes. There was a statistical difference (p< 0.05) among plasma fibrinogen levels evaluated 24 and 48 hours after envenomation. There was a tendency towards normalization after 48 hours of treatment. The low platelet number was clear in 24-48 hour evaluations with a tendency towards normalization after 48 hours of treatment (p< 0.05). When platelet function was stimulated by collagen and epinephrine, it appeared to be within normal values. On the other hand, when it was stimulated by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), platelet function was hypoaggregated by a single micromol concentration until 48 hours after treatment. At a 3 micromol concentration, there were alterations only before specific treatment (p < 0.05). Fibrinogen levels and fibrin degradation product (FDP) levels appeared to be altered in 83.33 per cent of patients evaluated. The authors suggest that platelet hypoaggregation is related to decreased fibrinogen and increased FDP levels.